stevenz@unrvax.unr.edu (10/03/90)
Does anyone have any information on a BSR 386SX? This system was most recently offered in a DAK catalog and is bundled with software? While the price is reasonable, does anyone have any experience with the machine or know the manufacturer(s) of the components? Steven Zink Internet: stevenz@unrvax.unr.edu BITnet: stevenz@unsvax Telephone: (702) 784-4680
ergo@netcom.UUCP (Isaac Rabinovitch) (10/13/90)
In <4684@tahoe.unr.edu> stevenz@unrvax.unr.edu writes: >Does anyone have any information on a BSR 386SX? This system was >most recently offered in a DAK catalog and is bundled with software? >While the price is reasonable, does anyone have any experience with >the machine or know the manufacturer(s) of the components? It does sound pretty tempting, especially if you happen to need the bundled software (though whether anybody *needs* Wordstar anymore ...). But. I've purchased a couple of computer items from DAK in the past. I always thought I got a reasonable value and good (or at least responsive) service from their people. But I'd think twice before ordering any big-ticket systems from them. It's obvious that they're out of their depth selling computers. For example, they once sold me some software in 5-1/4" format. They got that right, but because I'd spent more than a certain amount on computer stuff, they sent me some free software in the same box -- in 3-1/2" format! More to the point, half of my stuff went on back order. I got most of it eventually, but after a long wait I finally cancelled the one item they just couldn't seem to find for me: a printer cable! DAK is nice people and I enjoy reading their catalog and I even waste money on their adult toys from time to time. But when you're comitting $1800 to a purchase, you really want good customer support, and I doubt if you'll get it from DAK. The free service contract? Nice if the service company does its job. You still need good support from the seller. PC Mag did a survey of vendors, and got a lot of complaints from people who got their service from TRW. At the same time, Swan got good marks even though they used TRW. I think the lesson is that you need a good dealer rep more than a good repairman! Then again, maybe it'd be worthwhile if I bought that CD-ROM player with *it's* bundle.... Never mind! -- ergo@netcom.uucp Isaac Rabinovitch {apple,amdahl,claris}!netcom!ergo Silicon Valley, CA
bicker@cbnewsi.att.com (The Resource, Poet-Magician of Quality) (10/14/90)
=> In <4684@tahoe.unr.edu> stevenz@unrvax.unr.edu writes:
=> >Does anyone have any information on a BSR 386SX? This system was
=> >most recently offered in a DAK catalog and is bundled with software?
=> >While the price is reasonable, does anyone have any experience with
=> >the machine or know the manufacturer(s) of the components?
In a word: Yuck.
Very very unresponsive and inflexible supplier from my standpoint. The
software is not worth the aggravation requisite in dealing with them.
I cancelled my order and went with a real computer supplier. The cost
was about that same, without the software. But it was definitely worth
it.
--
Brian Charles Kohn AT&T Bell Laboratories Quality Process Center
Quality Management System E-MAIL: att!hoqax!bicker (bicker@hoqax.ATT.COM)
Consultant PHONE: (908) 949-5850 FAX: (908) 949-7724
woan@iti.org (Ronald S. Woan Jr.) (10/15/90)
bicker@cbnewsi.att.com (The Resource, Poet-Magician of Quality) writes: >=> In <4684@tahoe.unr.edu> stevenz@unrvax.unr.edu writes: >=> >Does anyone have any information on a BSR 386SX? This system was >=> >most recently offered in a DAK catalog and is bundled with software? >=> >While the price is reasonable, does anyone have any experience with >=> >the machine or know the manufacturer(s) of the components? >Very very unresponsive and inflexible supplier from my standpoint. The >software is not worth the aggravation requisite in dealing with them. >I cancelled my order and went with a real computer supplier. The cost >was about that same, without the software. But it was definitely worth >it. My office mates brother got this machine recently (three weeks from order to arrival) and is very pleased with it. It is also being discussed off and on Prodigy, the forbidden service :-). The hardware seems only an average value in itself, but the software is definitely what makes the package, so this may not be the machine for you if you are an experienced user (I am told that the startup manual is quite nice)and already own similar software. There have been a few reports of the hard drive dying, but reports regarding the onsite service have been surprisingly positive... Anyway, the standard disclaimer that I have no relationship to DAK except for being a less than satisfied customer of theirs (returned a couple of items) in the past. -- +-----All Views Expressed Are My Own And Are Not Necessarily Shared By------+ +------------------------------My Employer----------------------------------+ + Ronald S. Woan woan@peyote.cactus.org or woan%austin@iinus1.ibm.com + + other email addresses Prodigy: XTCR74A Compuserve: 73530,2537 +